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Friendship Firehouse Museum

The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, as the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, was substantially remodeled in 1871, and was restored by the City of Alexandria in 1992.

In a town of mostly wooden buildings, where open flames provided heat, light and cooking on a daily basis, fire was a constant danger. The Friendship, Sun, Relief, Hydraulion and other local volunteer fire companies served the community faithfully, particularly during enormous blazes in 1827, 1855, 1871, and 1922. Some of their stories and equipment are preserved today in the Friendship Firehouse Museum.

Events at the Friendship Firehouse Museum

Presidents’ Day Open House, Monday, February 16, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Visit the Friendship Firehouse Museum when you are in Old Town for the
George Washington Birthday Celebration parade.
Free admission!

Docent-Led Tour of Friendship Firehouse Museum, Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Volunteers, concerned for the well-being of Alexandria, formed the Friendship Fire Company in 1774. Come for an in-depth guided tour of Friendship’s firehouse and learn about the company’s firefighting procedures and equipment, as well as the different roles the organization played in serving the community. For ages 10 and older. $5 for adults, $4 ages 10-17. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Purchase tickets by calling 703.746.4994, or visit the online shop.

Firefighting in Civil War Alexandria Walking Tour, Saturday, April 11, 1- 3 p.m.When Virginia joined the Confederacy, Union troops occupied Alexandria and most municipal functions were assumed by the U.S. Army. The “We’ve Been Burned: Alexandria Firefighters During the Civil War” walking tour will explore firefighting during the Union occupation. How were volunteer fire companies treated by Federal authorities? Were firefighters allowed out after curfew? What happened to the firehouses and equipment? These questions will be answered as tour participants visit the sites of four of the five fire houses, and learn what happened if there was a fire in the occupied city. For age 10 and older. $6 for adults, $4 ages 10-17. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Purchase tickets by calling 703.746.4994, or visit the online shop.

Mother’s Day Open House, Sunday, May 10, 1 - 4 p.m.Mothers and their families are admitted free at the Friendship Firehouse Museum on Mother’s Day. For this special day, the firehouse photographer will be taking complimentary portraits. Come pose alongside the historic equipment that fought fires in early 19th – century Alexandria. Learn about the suction pumper, and other artifacts such as parade hats and speaking trumpets. Youngsters will also receive a fire hat of their very own. Free admission!

Firefighting History Walking Tour, Saturday, May 16, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Explore Alexandria’s firefighting history on the “Blazing a Trail: Alexandria’s Firefighting History” tour. Participants learn about volunteer firefighting in early Alexandria, three devastating fires, and the five volunteer fire companies. The tour begins at the historic Friendship Firehouse, goes east on Prince Street, and returns to Friendship via King Street. For age 10 and older. $6 for adults, $4 ages 10-17. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Purchase tickets by calling 703.746.4994, or visit the online shop.

Father’s Day Open House, Sunday, June 21, 1 – 4 p.m. The Friendship Firehouse Museum is free for fathers and their families on Father’s Day. The firehouse photographer will be on duty, so dads can take home a complimentary photograph. Come have a family portrait taken with the historic equipment that fought fires in early 19th – century Alexandria. See the locally-made hose reel, and find out about artifacts such as hose, buckets and axes. Free fire hats for children. Free admission!

The Friendship Firehouse Festival. The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association holds its annual Firehouse Festival each year on the first Saturday in August. The popular family event features antique fire apparatus, craft booths, displays by Alexandria merchants, and live music. Free admission!